Timer assembly with lighting features

Abstract

A timer is configured with a lighting feature so as to provide illumination to the timer in dark environments. The light may actuate by the interaction of an actuating member and sensor within the timer housing. The light may turn on when the enclosure door is in an open position and the light may turn off when the enclosure door is in a closed position. The timer assembly includes a base having a sensor, a lid having an actuating surface or member, a time indicator positioned in the base, and a light interconnected with the base, wherein the actuating surface or member selectively operates the light.

We claim: 
     
       1. A timer assembly comprising:
 a housing comprising a lid, a base, and a hinge rotatably connecting the lid and the base, wherein the lid includes an actuating pin, and wherein the base comprises a timer, a timer indicator, a sensor and a light; 
 wherein the timer is configured to automatically control on and off times of at least one electrical component external to the housing; 
 wherein the lid is movable via the hinge relative to the base between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the sensor monitors the open and closed position of the lid and the actuating pin of the lid contacts the sensor of the base when the lid is in the closed position; 
 wherein the light is operated to be in an on condition when the lid is in the open position and in an off condition when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the base and the light are configured to direct light onto the timer indicator when the lid is in the open position and the light is in the on condition. 
 
     
     
       2. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the light is turned on when the actuating pin disengages the sensor. 
     
     
       3. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the sensor extends forward from a back wall forming part of the base. 
     
     
       4. The timer assembly of  claim 3  wherein the sensor is positioned within a cavity defined by the base. 
     
     
       5. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the light is positioned within a cavity defined by the base. 
     
     
       6. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the actuating pin extends beyond a front surface of the lid. 
     
     
       7. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the light further comprises a shroud. 
     
     
       8. The timer assembly of  claim 7  wherein the shroud directs light onto the time indicator. 
     
     
       9. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the light is turned off when the actuating pin engages the sensor. 
     
     
       10. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tight is in electrical communication with the time indicator. 
     
     
       11. The timer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the light is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       12. The timer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a shroud that blocks the light from a user's eyes and deflects the light downward toward the timer indicator.